Moalims

SWAT - Apart from scenic views and serene environment, Swat valley has rich past for imparting education and the concept of co-education was common in Swat State since 1915-1969 where there was no school for girls.
First primary school for both boys and girls was established in 1922 followed by a separate girls primary school in 1926 in the Swat State.
Co-education is a sensitive topic in Pakistan especially in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa.
Every individual has his opinion about the topic; some are in favour while some criticise it.
Khurshid Khan, Professor at a well-known education institution Jahanzeb College said, “I remember my school days, we boys and girls were getting education in the same class till 5th grade.
”It is pertinent to mention here that there are sufficient separate govt and private schools and colleges for boys and girls in Swat valley but when any gender wished to get higher education then they had revert to Peshawar for their masters and other professional education, before the establishment of Swat University.
University of Peshawar and other universities and professional institutes provide co-education environment and students are bound to comply with the rules and regulations of the respective educational institution.
Professor Khurshid said that the university level students are mature enough and are well aware about the social norms and their limits.
He further said that most of the students hesitate to express their opinion but co-education provides an excellent opportunity to the students to overcome this weakness.
As Pakistan is developing country so it is very difficult for the provincial government to establish separate universities for both boys and girls.
Keeping the core demand of the people of the entire region, the former ANP govt established Swat University in July 2010.
Currently 3200 male and female students are enrolled in various disciplines in the university.
Like other universities of the country, Swat varsity is also providing co-education environment which not only enhances the social and moral values among the students but also create healthy competition in which one group tries to achieve superiority over the other.
But Swat varsity chief proctor Hazrat Bilal was displeased regarding co-education as he issued a notification on April 14, 2016, that boys and girls are not allowed to sit or walk within the campuses or outside the campuses.
Any student male or female found guilty would be fined a penalty ranging from Rs-50 to 5000 and an emergency meeting will be called with their parents, it added.
This notification showed the radical mindset of the Swat Varsity chief proctor.
Currently he is removed from the post and a Committee has been constituted under the supervision of Assistant registrar Imtiaz to investigate the matter.
This notification reflects the negligence too on part of the university administration by giving free hand to chief proctor.
When contacted Swat University Public Relation Officer Aftab Khan, he said that only registrar office have the prime authority to issue notification related to varsity policy.
He said that Vice Chancellor Dr Jahanbakht constituted a committee for tackling this issue.
There is no space for gender discrimination at Swat Varsity, he added.
He further said that Committee will present its report to the Vice Chancellor on Monday and then further decision will be made in the light of the report.
Talking to The Nation, Yasin Akbar student of Swat varsity said, “Swat varsity has failed to provide basic facilities and quality education as they claim.
” He said that they should focus on betterment of varsity.
Another student Zeeshan Khan said that this move of the chief proctor shows his mental capacity and approach.
“We should avoid such controversies, as we have already paid huge losses owing to terrorism, flood, and other natural calamities,” he added.

Published in The Nation newspaper on 18-Apr-2016